A mecha is a type of piloted vehicle that is traditionally bipedal and humanoid, though exceptions exist in regards to form. What is a constant and what differentiates mecha from power_armor¹⁾ is that all mecha are several times larger than a Human or similarly sized pilot.

Mecha in the SARPiverse are usually highly mobile and capable of flight. Most are created for combat, though some are designed for civilian uses, such as construction or leisure.

Mecha have been in use in the SARPiverse for a good deal of its recent history. Miniaturization was a long-standing barrier to the development of powered armor until YE 24, when the Lamia M1 Space Mecha was introduced, becoming the first powered armor in widespread use.

For a time, the LAMIA and its derivatives dominated combat in the Kikyo Sector, but beginning in the late 30s, true mecha began to make a resurgence. In contrast, powered armor never emerged in the Iromakuanhe Astral Commonwealth, and mecha remained the primary form of small craft in the Astral Cluster.

Use of mecha varies by the nation or faction using them.

In the Yamatai Star Empire, the primary operator of mecha is the Star Army of Yamatai. As of YE 43, the Star Army uses the CAMIE M11 Construction Mecha, Kirie Thought Armor, and the M19 Ryoko Mecha in addition to its power armor suits like the Ke-M2 "Mindy" Series of Power Armor.

Alex Hart created this article on 2021/01/17 19:00.

🚧 This article is a work-in-progress. Is it not currently approved.